El Chico Cafe

Growing up, we used to eat at El Chico quite often. The staff was great, always friendly and practically treated you like family. Nowadays, not so much. I've heard they've gone downhill, so I went for lunch to see for myself. Well, rumors were true. The staff from hostess, waitress and busser all seemed annoyed to even be there, distracted, and just not very friendly. The young lady that brought our food, instead of setting the plate on the table, she just handed it to my daughter. Waitstaff 101, always set the plate on the table in front of the customer. Never just hand it to them!! We asked for a couple of small plates, and instead of going to get them, she just grabbed a couple off the dirty table next to us that customers had just left from! Fajitas used to be good. Not anymore. Beef was very tough and chewy, chicken had a lot of gristle, veggies hardly cooked, and temp was barely warm. Our queso wasn't even warm. So disappointed. Sweet tea however was good. Won't go back anytime soon. So if you're craving good Mexican or Tex Mex food, there's many other establishments in Abilene to check out!

Atmosphere: 3

Food: 1

Service: 1

Love this place!! Fajita enchiladas are smazing!! Juanita is awesome! Management is amazing!!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

I used to eat at El Chico growing up. It's still good.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Fajitas were gross, very bland no flavor at all. And over cooked. We took our food Togo, and trashed it. Waitress was overly interrupting us.

Started with a margarita which was awesome. The taco dinner was my favorite so far as I try different place.
Unfortunately I forgot the managers name after I commended her on a great place.
I recommend and will be returning.....probably more than once :)

Atmosphere: 4

Food: 5

Service: 5

Food was dressed up taco bell. The waiter was in a hurry and didn't want to wait for the entire order. He didn't like our response to not liking the food and the manager on duty tried to make it up, but it was the food that wasn't a sit down restaurant quality. It used to be decent but is low grade white version instant box nasty tasting and looking food.

Atmosphere: 3

Food: 1

Service: 3

El Chico in Abilene has a manager/owner who began many years ago as a busser. He takes pride in his service, his employees, and his food. I have been going for 40 years! It doesn't get more thumbs up than that. His employees treat you like family. You're more than a patron. You're important. My children have all grown up eating here, as I did! We have celebrated many birthdays, here and every celebrate my late daughter's birthday here, yearly, as it was her favorite place!!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Not very good. The rice was undercooked and crunchy. Beans were salty. The enchilada tortillas were hard and chewy the meat was dry with absolutely no flavor.

Atmosphere: 1

Food: 1

Service: 2

Food was cold not to mention the tomatoes were rotten made us sick 🤢 will never go back

Atmosphere: 3

Food: 2

Service: 2

We try to get here after going to Glo N one. It's was okay. Chips where still in we didn't get much service every now and then they'd come by but we have to keep trying to find someone for refills. It's okay. Not the worst but not the best.

Atmosphere: 2

Food: 2

Service: 3

Went today, had a female server who took our order but didn't put it in for awhile and she put it in wrong. Asked for no bacon and it came out with bacon, then the second order came with beans and rice, I asked for no beans, sub rice because I'm allergic. The girl who greeted us in, aka the owners granddaughter, had quite attitude when we walked in. Not as it used to be, I understand new employees, but they were just standing everywhere instead of finding something to do and had no sense of urgency. All the tables around were already frustrated, we went around 12 Abe came out at 2:50. I highly recommend Juanita as a server instead.

Atmosphere: 1

Food: 3

Service: 2

This was our first vist to El Chico Abilene & we were impressed. The waitress Juanita was so kind & attentive. The manager came out welcome us. We had the lunch fajitas and they were delicious. The staff were all very friendly and the restaurant was very clean. We highly recommend.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

I will give it to the staff for being very friendly and we overall had very good service. However, the food was absolutely awful. My kids Mac and cheese came out like water. Noodles… cheese sauce and water. It was extremely runny and flavorless. I ordered queso and let’s just say I ended up with food poisoning and vomited everything I ate within 20 minutes of leaving. I have never been to an El Chico and not enjoyed it. But this was absolutely the worst TexMex food I have ever eaten.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 1

Service: 5

Adding lettuce to the burrito bowl was delicious. Definitely would order again.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

My husband wanted to take me out to celebrate my birthday with family and friends. We were a large group of 25 people. Our first choice was Casa Herrera. We called an hour before going and were informed they don’t take reservations, which we knew, but we wanted to give them a heads up. We arrived and were told in a not friendly tone that they couldn’t provide service for 25 people because they didn’t have the room and didn’t want to overwhelm the server. The overall feeling was not welcoming at all. They should have told us over the phone when we called that they could not accommodate us. So my husband called El Chico and they welcomed us with open arms. By the time we got over there, our table was ready and we were greeted with smiles all around. Our server, Severina, was AMAZING! She kept our drinks filled, food came out quickly for such a large party and she always had a smile on her face! Caesar(hopefully I spelled that right), was so accommodating and even gave us FREE QUESO! He was so apologetic for how the other restaurant treated us but was so happy we chose his restaurant. We usually go out as a large group at least every other month if not more often. We were told by Severina that we are all welcome back anytime! We are already planning our next get together! So thankful that all the staff at El Chico saved my birthday dinner! Thank you again from the bottom of my heart! Lisa Chaney